Childhood Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation has significantly changed the life expectancy of patients with advanced organ failure. The quality of life with transplanted organs and their impact on growth have become more critical for children as they have a much longer life expectancy and will be experiencing growth stages. Solid organ transplantation techniques, which were used only experimentally in animals until the middle of the 20th century, have become a treatment option in the 21st century. Particularly with the discovery of new immunosuppressive drugs in the 1960s, transplantation has gained impetus as a viable therapeutic option. Examination of the biopsies taken from the transplanted organ is an important factor that ensures early recognition of rejection findings and can prolong the life of the organ. In this review, the historical development of transplantation, the mechanisms involved in tissue rejection, rejection evaluation criteria, and the main differences between childhood and adult organ transplantations are briefly reviewed.